Hammers to roll with Carroll

The England Under-19 striker, who signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal in March, is earmarked for a key role for the relegated Magpies next season.

With Michael Owen and Mark Viduka set to leave under freedom of contract – and £10million-rated Obafemi Martins likely to be sacrificed in drastic cost-cutting measures on Tyneside, local boy Carroll, 20, is ready to leap up the strikers’ pecking order.

But the Hammers are very keen on the forward.

The club were this week the subject of a takeover by Icelandic bank Straumur.

But boss Gianfranco Zola has still been promised funds to spend this summer – and is looking to build with solid young English players.

Other clubs are also interested – and the Geordies may be forced to consider an offer of around £3m.

Meanwhile, Martins – who was signed from Inter Milan by former Toon boss Glenn Roeder three years ago – is said to be eyeing a return to Italy.